The anticipation surrounding the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina just got a jolt of excitement for Washington Capitals fans. For the first time in franchise history, two Capitals players—alternate captain Tom Wilson and goaltender Logan Thompson—will don the red and white for Team Canada on the Olympic stage. It’s a monumental moment for both athletes and the organization, as the NHL returns to Olympic play for the first time since 2014.
Hockey Canada’s announcement on December 31, 2025, confirmed what many in the league had suspected: Wilson and Thompson’s standout performances this season made them irresistible choices for the Olympic roster. Capitals fans have watched Wilson transform into a powerhouse on both ends of the ice, while Thompson’s steady presence between the pipes has been a revelation for both club and country.
Wilson’s journey to Olympic selection is a testament to his relentless work ethic and evolving game. At 31, the Toronto native is enjoying one of the most productive stretches of his career. Through 38 games of the 2025-26 NHL season, he’s racked up 19 goals and 18 assists, leading the Capitals with 37 points. He’s not just a scorer—he’s a force to be reckoned with physically, topping the team with 101 hits, and he’s become a fixture on both the power play and penalty kill. According to the Capitals, Wilson leads the team in goals, points, power-play goals (seven), points-per-game (0.97), and hits.
“It’s an incredible honor to represent your country at the Olympics,” Wilson said in a team release. “This is something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid.”
Wilson’s impact isn’t limited to the scoresheet. Among Canadian-born forwards league-wide, he’s tied for third in plus-minus rating (+16), tied for sixth in power-play goals, and tied for 10th in goals this season. He’s also one of just two Canadian forwards averaging at least three minutes of power play ice time and two minutes of shorthanded ice time per game—an indicator of the trust both his NHL and Olympic coaches place in him. Since the start of the 2024-25 season, Wilson has amassed 102 points (52 goals, 50 assists) in 119 games, with his 52 goals ranking ninth among Canadian forwards over that span.
Last season, Wilson set career highs with 33 goals, 32 assists, and 65 points in 81 games. Now, he’s on pace for an even more impressive 40 goals and 78 points. Oh, and he’s climbed from 12th to sixth on the Capitals’ all-time goals list—a feat that cements his legacy in Washington hockey lore. Not bad for a player who, not long ago, was known more for his physicality than his scoring touch.
On the other end of the ice, Logan Thompson has emerged as one of the NHL’s most reliable netminders. The 28-year-old Canadian leads all Canadian goaltenders in games played this season and boasts a stellar .915 save percentage, good for third among his countrymen. Last season, his performance earned him a fourth-place finish in Vezina Trophy voting, a nod to his standing among the league’s elite goalies.
Thompson’s selection to Team Canada is a just reward for his consistency and ability to deliver under pressure. “To be named to the Olympic team is surreal,” Thompson remarked in a statement. “It’s something every Canadian goalie dreams about.”
The Capitals’ Olympic representation doesn’t end with Wilson and Thompson. Defenseman Martin Fehérváry will skate for Team Slovakia, giving Washington a truly international flavor at the Games. For Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery, seeing his players recognized on the world stage is a point of pride. “These guys have worked incredibly hard and earned every bit of this honor,” Carbery said. “It’s great for them, and it’s great for our organization.”
The men’s hockey tournament in Milan Cortina is set to be a spectacle, with NHL players returning to Olympic competition for the first time in over a decade. The action kicks off on February 11, 2026, and will culminate with the gold medal game on February 22. Team Canada’s first test comes on February 12 against Czechia, in what promises to be a high-octane opener.
Canada’s roster is stacked with talent and experience, blending established stars with rising phenoms. Joining Wilson up front are the likes of Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), and 19-year-old sensation Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks)—currently third in NHL scoring behind McDavid and MacKinnon. Other new faces include Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadiens) and Bo Horvat (New York Islanders), both of whom will look to make their mark on Olympic ice.
The blue line is anchored by Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche), with veterans like Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings) and Devon Toews (Colorado) providing stability and leadership. The goaltending trio consists of Thompson, Darcy Kuemper (Los Angeles Kings), and Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues), offering Canada a formidable last line of defense.
Notably absent from the roster are some big names, including Chicago’s Connor Bedard (out with an upper-body injury), Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele, and Washington’s own Jakob Chychrun. Chychrun was considered for the team but ultimately did not make the final cut, a tough break for the talented defenseman.
For Wilson and Thompson, the Olympic call-up is a career-defining moment. Wilson, in particular, has evolved from an agitator and enforcer to a respected leader and two-way force. His ability to contribute in all situations—five-on-five, power play, penalty kill—makes him a valuable asset for Team Canada’s pursuit of gold. Meanwhile, Thompson’s poise and athleticism in net could prove crucial in the high-pressure environment of Olympic hockey.
The Capitals’ historic Olympic representation is not just a testament to individual achievement, but also a reflection of the franchise’s growth and development pipeline. For a team that has often flown under the radar in discussions about Canadian Olympic talent, this moment is a breakthrough.
As the hockey world turns its attention to Milan Cortina, all eyes will be on Wilson and Thompson as they look to help Canada reclaim Olympic glory. With the tournament set to showcase the best the NHL has to offer, the stage is set for unforgettable moments and, perhaps, a new chapter in Canadian hockey history.
With the puck set to drop in February, Capitals fans—and Canadian hockey supporters everywhere—will be watching closely as Wilson and Thompson chase Olympic dreams on the sport’s biggest stage.
